Favorite stick Mods- What are you starting with?

[Hoss33w]

I'm sooo close.. I have my saddle, rappel rope, figure 8, carabiners, platform, everything to hang and hunt... Just need a way to get UP the tree. haha

I've been looking hard at the EWO one-stick and while it is really great, it's awfully pricey getting into it. Especially not knowing what my step distance, preferred top step, cam or versa-button, etc.

My question to the DIYers is: Did you have a preferred stick to start with and mod? I'd love to hear from those that practiced with a setup before getting it perfect. I'd like get my hands on a used stick or sticks and play around with setups. I'm more than happy to buy once cry once, but I want to be sure I'm getting what I need with those tears.

I'm gonna post a companion to this in the classified section for WTB: your yardsale sticks. Hopefully others can get something good out of this as well. Seems to be a lot of us newbies dropping money and all this cool gear!

 

[preslar1]

API Huntin stick are cheap, easy to mod and solid. I shortened mine and added a sewn on aider on each bottom step. Considered doing the stacking steps to make a cheap DIY version of a top step/platform. I have 3 steps after shortening sticks. Got mine for $100 delivered.

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[Hoss33w]

That is really cool! First I've seen the doubled up top step, but that's a great idea for a little more real estate.

 

[Old Man Hunter]

A couple of year ago I was going through the same process as you and guess what I still am. I think that is part of the saddle hunter venture and fun especially if you are a tinker like me. As to sticks I had a set of Lone Wolf sticks that I already used with a hang on so I started with them and modified them adding an EWO double step to the top step and a strap aider to each stick. I also modified the versa button doing away with the straps and making ropes out of 1/4" amsteel to attach them to the tree. These work great, I've now change the aider to the cable aider that EWO and LW sales. Still a good set of sticks. I've also bought a set of Helium long sticks adding a one step amsteel aider to each stick and moding the versa button then using amsteel 1/4" to make the attachment ropes. I used these most of last year due to having knee replacement and wanted the double step on each step. I have on order the small platform that attaches to the top of the Hawk stick to try.
Now let me clarify a couple of things. The last 2 seasons I have hunted out of a JX3 saddle that I love so the top step on either set of sticks was used as my foot rest while in the JX3. This year I still have my JX3 which I don't plan on getting rid of but I have also purchased a Lattitude Method 2 panel saddle to use when I am hunting more remote areas or scout/hunting days when I want to be compact. This is why I purchased the small platform that attaches to the top of the Hawk stick set.
Hopefully this gives you another idea as to climbing methods that aren't too expensive. I am recovering from hip replacement now but will be definitely in the saddle this season and hopefully be able to try one sticking by next year. i plan on buying a rappel rope soon for my decent down the tree.
Good luck there is a lot of good ideas and advice on this site.

 

[bfriendly]

I too got the hawk sticks and I can’t compare with others, but these are really nice, can be cut etc…. Biggest thing for me is the double step. I also have the small platform that attaches to the top of a stick. I ordered and am waiting on the other hawk platform which is bigger and will sit beside the double steps of my top stick. Only problem with the sticks was getting them apart. A little dremel to the lip of the females end and they are perfect and quiet. I too hope to one stick and rappel some day.